New figures show people in Cheshire fail more breath tests per head for drink driving than anywhere else in the country.

The county topped the list with drivers clocking up 254 positive breath tests for every 100,000 residents, according to Home Office statistics.

The national average stands at just 170 while the country's lowest, Warwickshire, is more than four times less at 64.

But leaders in the drive to make Cheshire's roads better believe the numbers are a positive for the area.

Lee Murphy is from the Cheshire Safer Roads Partnership which aims tomake the county's roads safer and reduce drink driving.

The multi-agency organisation is made up of several bodies including the council, police and fire service.

"That data could be read a few ways," he said. "And one is that we take take drink driving very seriously in Cheshire therefore we send a lot ofpeople to deal with it and tackle it, which is a very strong positive message to say.

"Drink driving does account for quite a high number of people killed and injured in Cheshire and it's important to police that our roads aresafe. Therefore they get out and detect drink driving."